Different Virtual Learning Environments
The tools and functionality available to the student and tutor vary from VLE to VLE, for example, you may find the tools in the VLE that you are using are more or less extensive than those mentioned in the previous section. Some VLEs have been produced by commercial companies, others by universities. In the UK, Blackboard, Learnwise, Teknical's Virtual Campus and WebCT are the most commonly used commercial products. Bodington, COSE and Merlin developed by UK universities, have also been adopted in the sector. Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is an open-source VLE that has many similarities to the commercial products and is being used by some institutions in the sector. SAKAI is an open source VLE developed in the USA.
OSS Watch, a JISC funded service, gives advice and guidance on open source software. Support Models for Open Source Deployment, the second OSS Watch conference has a number articles relevant to OS VLEs and Top Tips for Selecting Open Source Software provides tips and further resources links.
FERL has further information in its paper 'VLEs: Beyond the Fringe and Into the Mainstream' about purchasing an open-source or commercial product. Whilst making your choice of VLE, you should remember that staff engagement with technology depends on reliable systems with familiar layout and symbology (Glenaffric Ltd, JISC funded report 'Case Studies of Managed Learning Environments in Further Education').
JISC infoNet provides advice and guidance on System Selection.
Britain and Liber provide an overview of VLE usage between 2001 and 2003 which shows the growth of VLE-usage and the different VLEs that are being used (diagram updated to include data from 2005):
Diagram produced by courtesy of Britain and Liber and the Landscape Study
When considering the above table, the following differences in the data sets should be borne in mind when making a comparison: The 2001 survey only included HE institutions, but the 2003 survey results were obtained across HE and FE institutions. Thus, for example, First Class still has a higher level of use in HE institutions than in FE, but the combined data from both types of institution would indicate a drop in use. Learnwise is much more commonly used in the FE sector and so the apparent rise in the level of use of this system is skewed by inclusion of FE institution data only in 2003.
Two websites provide a wide range of comparative information about VLEs. These focus on the functionality of VLEs:
Chest has developed a comparative grid of five VLE products (BlackBoard, FD Learning, LearnWise, Virtual Campus, WebCT and Wizlearn). This offers information on the products, type of licence, requirements, costs and maintenance issues.
EDUTECH has further comparative information about VLE products. The website is supported by the Federal Office of Education and Science, the Swiss University Conference and the University of Fribourg.
Although these websites are updated on a regular basis, it is always worth checking that they have the current version of the VLE that is being described.
Britain and Liber (2004) have also produced a framework for pedagogical evaluation of e-learning environments. They provide us with a 'rich picture of current tools, systems and architectures designed to support e-learning.' Each system is described from the course, learner and programme/institution perspective.
In addition, FERL has produced a model to evaluate learning platforms.
